Obituary: John Ryder Of Brewster

from the Beecher Funeral Home

John Ryder: February 22, 1953 - May 24, 2022

Born of David Ganun Ryder and Katherine Bethel, John leaves behind his loving wife, Elizabeth Ruth Ryder. Predeceased by his oldest daughter, Jenny Spaulding, her children are David M. Pitts, whose child is Preston M., Emily Frickey, whose child is Eli R., and Ashley A. Angus, whose children are Lincoln J., Elliot M., and next child, due in July. John’s second child is John Jason Ryder, whose children are Baron V. and Henrick F. John’s youngest Daughter is Skye Autumn Ryder McCauley, whose children are Theron M. and Brody T. All of John’s children, Grands and Greats continue to reside near John’s hometown in Upstate NY. John’s Brothers are Gerome Ferris of Harrisville, NY, David George (Doc) of Panama City, Fla, Brien Bradley of Bernards Bay, NY and sister, predeceased, Annette Weigel of Syracuse, NY.

John was born in Gouverneur, NY and grew up in Antwerp and the surrounds of Northern NY where he was a dairy farmer and then an electrician by trade. In 1989, John moved to Brewster and has since enjoyed life on the family farm where his creative talents thrived. His friends call him Joatamotu, an acronym for John of All Trades and Master Of The Universe. He put pipes underground and roofs on most buildings and everything in between, offering his tender loving care to the old 1795 homestead throughout his tenancy. Together, John and Betsey enjoyed the adventurous spirit. Together they built Ryder Farm Cottage Industries, growing organic vegetables for the NYC and local markets. They enjoyed traveling and reached the heights of the world with a trek to Mt Everest in 1993. In John’s final voyage, he left this world from the peace of his living room, at the cottage on the farm after living with and treating Lung Cancer for the last 2.5 years.

The family invites all to join them in the celebration of John’s life at 400 Starr Ridge Rd, Brewster: On Sunday, May 29, at 1 pm, there will be a whimsical dance at the Maypole, catching John’s spirit in a Spring breeze.

On Saturday, June 11, at 3 pm, the Memorial Service will be held in the living room at the Sycamores, the family homestead.